Roots and Fruits
French vintners tend to water their grape vines less than Californians, making stronger roots.
In France, they grow a lot of grapes, just like in California. One of the differences between them, however, is that a French vintner doesn’t water his grapes like a Californian. Oh, there are distinctions in climate and soil to be sure, but this distinction also brings with it a philosophy.
The French don’t water their grapes during a dry spell and as a result, two things happen. 1) the vines produce fewer top grade grapes that season, but also 2) the roots of the grape vines burrow deeper into the earth searching for moisture. The French vintner endures a loss for the season to ensure fewer losses in the future because the grape vine roots are now deeper in the soil and less susceptible to the choke hold of drought.
You might say that such a vintner tends his vines with a big picture view, and not a focus that narrows only on the present. Like God.
“My Father is the gardener,” Jesus tells us (John 15:1). He knows grapes better than a French vintner. And he knows people better than we know ourselves. And he goes to work in our lives.
As we suffer through a drought of fruitless living, lack of blooming blessings, and susceptibility to harmful enemies, we wonder, “Where is God right now? Why isn’t he producing fruit in my life?” Ah, the fruit may indeed be less plentiful and beautiful, but God is still working. He’s working on the roots. He’s holding back the water so that our roots sink deeper. And better roots mean better fruits.
Just as there is better protection and richer nutrients deeper in the soil for grape vines, there is better security and richer nourishment in the “deep truths of the faith” (1 Timothy 3:9) that we would not discover without a drought sent by God.
So don’t be too quick to curse a drought in your life when the waters of refreshment aren’t flowing as you’d like. There is deeper water into which your roots are digging. And that makes you more prepared for next time.
PRAYER: Dear God, my Gardener and Lord, watch over my life as you promise. In days of drought and need, of less-than-fruitful living, produce in me a deeper faith, hope, and perseverance. Use trials and troubles in the days ahead to deepen my commitment to your mysterious paths, and my pursuit of your will. Amen.